Secure mounting arrangements for a lock assembly

Abstract

A mountable lock includes a lock body and a retaining member. The lock body is configured to be secured to an external structure by at least one fastening member. The lock body includes a lock interface movable from a locking condition to an unlocking condition in response to proper user manipulation of the lock interface. The retaining member includes a first end receivable in a first opening of the lock body and lockingly engageable with the lock body when the lock interface is in the locking condition, the first end being disengageable from the first opening when the lock interface is in the unlocking condition. The at least one fastening member is accessible through a passageway in the lock body that is blocked when the retaining member is in locking engagement with the lock body, thereby preventing disassembly of the lock body from the external structure.

1. A mountable lock comprising:
 a lock body including first and second body members secured together by a body fastener, the first and second body members together defining a recess configured to securely receive a body retaining portion of an external structure; 
 a lock interface disposed in the first body member and movable from a locking condition to an unlocking condition in response to proper manipulation of the lock interface; and 
 a retaining member having a first end portion lockingly engageable with the first body member when the lock interface is in the locking condition, the first end portion being disengageable from the first body member when the lock interface is in the unlocking condition; 
 wherein the body fastener is accessible through a passageway in the second body member that is blocked when the retaining member is lockingly engaged with the first body member, thereby preventing disassembly of the first and second body members from the external structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The mountable lock of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second body members together define a circumferential groove. 
     
     
       3. The mountable lock of  claim 1 , wherein the lock body is configured to be secured to a pocket of an external structure. 
     
     
       4. The mountable lock of  claim 1 , wherein the lock body is configured to be clamped to a laterally extending flange of an external structure. 
     
     
       5. The mountable lock of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking member that is retractable for disengagement of the retaining member from the first body member. 
     
     
       6. The mountable lock of  claim 5 , wherein the first end portion of the retaining member is received in a first opening of the first body member and the lock interface comprises a key cylinder that is selectively rotatable to disengage the locking member from the retaining member. 
     
     
       7. The mountable lock of  claim 6 , further comprising a post extending from the key cylinder, the post forcing the locking member out of engagement with the first end portion of the retaining member when the key cylinder is rotated to the unlocking condition. 
     
     
       8. The mountable lock of  claim 7 , wherein the post extends through a camming portion of the locking member. 
     
     
       9. The mountable lock of  claim 6 , wherein the key cylinder and first opening are disposed on an upper surface of the lock body. 
     
     
       10. The mountable lock of  claim 6 , wherein the locking member is spring biased away from the key cylinder in a direction perpendicular to the key cylinder. 
     
     
       11. The mountable lock of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining member comprises a U-shaped shackle. 
     
     
       12. The mountable lock of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion of the retaining member is received in a first opening in the first body member, and a second end portion of the retaining member is slidably retained within a second opening disposed in the second body member. 
     
     
       13. The mountable lock of  claim 12 , wherein the second end portion of the retaining member blocks access to the body fastener when the first end portion is engaged with the first body member, and permits access to the body fastener when the first end portion is disengaged from the first opening. 
     
     
       14. In combination, a mountable lock and a lock-retaining tie-down ring, the mountable lock comprising:
 a lock body including first and second body members having adjoining ends that are secured together to define an annular recess around an outer perimeter of the lock body, the annular recess being sized to closely receive the tie-down ring thereabout, such that the lock body is securely retained by the tie-down ring when the first and second body members are secured together on the tie-down ring; 
 a lock interface disposed in the lock body and movable from a locking condition to an unlocking condition in response to proper manipulation of the lock interface; and 
 a retaining member having a first end portion lockingly engageable with the lock body when the lock interface is in the locking condition, the first end portion being disengageable from the lock body when the lock interface is in the unlocking condition; 
 wherein the first and second body members are secured together by a body fastener that is only accessible when the first end portion of the retaining member is disengaged from the lock body. 
 
     
     
       15. The combination of  claim 14 , wherein the body fastener is accessible through a passageway in the lock body, the passageway being blocked when the retaining member is in locking engagement with the lock body. 
     
     
       16. The combination of  claim 15 , wherein the passageway extends from an access opening in an end face of the second body member opposite the adjoining end of the second body member. 
     
     
       17. The combination of  claim 14 , wherein the lock interface is disposed in the first body member, and the body fastener is retained with the second body member when the first body member is disassembled from the second body member. 
     
     
       18. The combination of  claim 14 , wherein the first end portion of the retaining member is received in a first opening in the first body member, and a second end portion of the retaining member is slidably retained within a second opening disposed in the second body member.